McAlister Family Law takes specialists from two major firms to set-up unique legal offering

A niche family legal business, with a leading reputation for its handling of high value divorce and financial work, has in an innovative move taken a five-strong Children Law team from Slater and Gordon and a 10-person Child Care legal team from Stephensons.

The move trebles the size of the McAlister business and creates a unique offering designed to be disruptive to those of traditional family practices in the North West and beyond.

McAlister Family Law, which has offices in Manchester city centre and throughout Cheshire, made this bold move in order to cement its reputation as a family law firm not only committed divorce and related finance work but also uniquely its passionate dedication to the welfare of children.

The firm, ranked in the latest edition of the Legal 500, numbers various high-profile celebrities and entrepreneurs in its client base, but this new move means it also takes care of those vulnerable members of society who need legal representation in some of the most harrowing of cases.

Amanda McAlister, managing director, said: “Family law firms are generally seen as being vehicles for expensive divorces conducted on behalf of high net worth individuals.  However, we believe strongly in social responsibility, and are passionately committed to the welfare of children.  By bringing these teams into the firm, headed by two of the country’s finest lawyers, we now have a business with a strength and depth of experience unrivalled outside of London.”

In its creation of two specialist Children Law teams, McAlister brings together four high profile lawyers with reputations as experts in their fields: Nick Hodson, Donna Roberts, Paul Webb and Amanda McAlister who have, in various iterations, enjoyed a working relationship of more than 15 years’ duration, are reunited.

Nick Hodson, described by Legal 500 as being “very strong on care matters”, joins from Slater and Gordon Lawyers as Partner and heads the Private and Public Children Law team.  Donna Roberts, described by the same legal directory a “vastly experienced” and “a skilled advocate” joins from Stephensons as Partner and heads the Specialist and Complex Cases team. team. Paul Webb, Partner, also joins from Slater and Gordon; Legal 500 describes him as “a very thorough lawyer whose gentle yet firm approach puts even the most difficult and demanding clients at ease.”

Nick Hodson said: ““ In a very short time, McAlister Family Law established itself as a market leader. I was delighted to join a vibrant and dynamic business which backs us and is prepared to invest in developing a dedicated specialist team that puts the welfare of children at the heart of our business.”

Donna Roberts added: “McAlister Family Law is very different from other law firms; it genuinely focuses on the development of its people who, in turn, achieve the best outcomes for their clients – I believe this is a winning combination”.

Paul Webb said: “The decision to join McAlister Family Law was an incredibly easy one. Amanda’s vision, coupled with a flexible and supportive work environment where the needs of the client are always the focus, is something I am incredibly proud to be a part of.”

McAlister Family Law is part of Beyond Professional Services Group, a business that is investing and growing niche and specialist professional service businesses, with common values and culture. The Group believes strongly in doing the right thing for its clients and its people. Led by Matt Fleetwood, its business model is focused on investing in strong management teams to operate niche and focused businesses with common values and a social conscience, challenging the thinking of the traditional law firms and ultimately changing traditional approaches to conducting professional service business, with notable success.

He said: “This is a hugely positive development within an already very successful business, and one which is entirely in sync with everything that we believe in.  We are a Group that embraces change not for the sake of it, but in order to effect a genuine difference that benefits all those involved.”